The 2026 Sistema Railway ran on Saturday January 24 at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, and was won in an upset by Cindy Alderson's visiting Aussie galloper Jigsaw!
Sistema Railway 2026 Results
| 3. Jigsaw (10) J: Logan Bates 57kg X4111 T: Cindy Alderson | ||
| 1. Arkansaw Kid (8) J: Opie Bosson 58kg 21023 T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | ||
| 11. Sweynesday (3) J: Masa Hashizume 55kg 12X11 T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood | ||
| 7. Tardelli (1) J: Ben Thompson 55kg 13737 T: Stephen Marsh | ||
| 5. Platinum Attack (7) J: Craig Grylls 55.5kg 6X126 T: Lisa Latta | ||
| 4. Sterling Express (2) J: Matthew Cameron 57kg 1144X T: Mark Brosnan | ||
| 12. Alabama Lass (5) J: Craig Williams 54kg 1X20X T: Ken & Bev Kelso | ||
| 13. Ardalio (13) J: Matt Cartwright 54kg 1X418 T: Stephen Marsh | ||
| 6. Sacred Satono (4) J: Rory Hutchings 55kg 0X600 T: Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | ||
| 9. Espionage (6) J: Damian Lane 55kg 0X5X3 T: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | ||
| 10. Reward Smile (12) J: Kelly Myers 55kg 1X914 T: Jenna Mahoney | ||
| 8. Master Fay (11) J: Tayla Mitchell 55kg 0X120 T: Chad Ormsby | ||
| 2. Crocetti (9) J: Warren Kennedy 58kg 120X8 T: Danny Walker & Arron Tata |
Railway Stakes Info
- 2026 Railway Stakes Date: Saturday the 24th of January 2026
- Current Race Sponsor: Sistema
- 2025 Race Name: Sistema Railway
- Track Location: Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand
- Distance: 1,200m
- Conditions: Set Weights + Penalties - 3YOs & Upwards
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (NZ): $700,000
- First Run: 1890
- Reigning Railway Winner: Jigsaw (2026)
Looking for the latest NZ Railway Stakes betting odds, insider racing tips and form for the Ellerslie Group 1 this January? The TAB NZ have all the best betting guides and statistics to make informed bets on the Railway race this summer!
The Group 1 Railway Stakes – currently known as the Sistema Railway for sponsorship purposes – is a crucial sprint test for New Zealand’s top short-distance racehorses. It is one of the most important Kiwi races held each summer and is now run at Auckland’s Ellerslie Racecourse on the last Saturday of January as part of the famous Karaka Millions Night conducted by the Auckland Racing Club.
It was formerly held on New Year’s Day before a move to the Karaka Millions evening in 2025.
It, along with the Telegraph Handicap at the start of the month, is one of the two most popular New Zealand thoroughbred sprint races.
To improve your chances of predicting the next Railway Stakes winner, access the latest Sistema Railway odds and tips online at the TAB NZ.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of summer contenders.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in New Zealand, our comprehensive Railway Stakes coverage has everything you need.
Get in on the summer racing action at Ellerslie and lock in your Railway Stakes bets at the right price with TAB NZ!
NZ Railway Stakes Fast Facts
- Last mare to win the Railway: Imperatriz (2023)
- Last multiple Railway winner: Mr Tiz (1989, 1990, 1991)
- Notable Fact: Jacowils ($105 in 2009) and Miss Raggedy Ann ($87 in 2011) both won the Railway at huge odds!
Bet on the next Railway Stakes now!
Railway Stakes Betting Info
Railway Stakes betting is open months ahead of the Group 1 Ellerslie, summer race at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination Railway Stakes betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures Railway Stakes odds online.
All-In Railway betting markets are then available following the official Railway Stakes nominations.
Betting on the Railway Stakes field is available following final acceptances.
Betting on the Railway race favours the locally trained champions from the best New Zealand horse racing stables.
Railway Stakes race betting traditionally focuses on the proven Group winning 1 horses who have an outstanding record in the event and those proven in the top New Zealand sprinting horse races.
Railway Stakes race tips centre on proven stars that have good lead-up form in similar grade spring/summer events, horses with previous experience at the Ellerslie track and the four / five-year-old runners who have dominated recent NZ Railway Stakes race results.
The Railway Stakes is a set weights plus penalties event open to horses aged three-years-old and above.
The highest-rated horse in the Railway field dons the number one saddlecloth.
Expert Tips on the 2026 Railway Stakes
Stay tuned for our expert tips and Railway Stakes betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature in Auckland.
| 12. Alabama Lass (5) J: Craig Williams 54kg 1X20X T: Ken & Bev Kelso |
| 3. Jigsaw (10) J: Logan Bates 57kg X4111 T: Cindy Alderson |
| 11. Sweynesday (3) J: Masa Hashizume 55kg 12X11 T: Roger James & Robert Wellwood |
Sistema Railway Tips
Railway Stakes tips on which horse will win the next edition of the event flood in as the countdown to the important Ellerslie 1200m race heats up.
Railway race tips on what horse will win the event this year are highly sought after by smart punters and racing fans every season.
When looking at Railway Stakes race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in the Railway field are proven over the distance?
- Who the key Railway trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in the Railway Stakes field this year?
- Railway Stakes barrier statistics and where your Railway Stakes betting selections are drawn.
- Railway Stakes horses that have a good past record at the track.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning Railway Stakes race tip? The event itself takes around 1 minute and 10 seconds for the competing horses to run the 1,200m trip depending on track conditions.
Mayo Gold in 1970, was the first Railway winner to finish in under 1 minute 10 seconds when claiming victory in a slick 1:09.8.
Who holds the Railway Stakes race record? The Railway Stakes race record belongs to Diamond Lover in 1987 who broke the Ellerslie track record, running 1 minute 07.73 seconds.
The official Railway Stakes winner and winning Railway trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish Railway Stakes result.
What are the best Railway Stakes lead-up races to look at when placing a Railway Stakes bet?
There are a number of earlier summer sprint races in New Zealand that serve as a good guide to the Railway Stakes.
As of 2025, the Railway Stakes now runs after the Telegraph Handicap making the Telegraph the key Railway lead-up.
Australian-Bred Horses in the Railway Stakes
Betting on the Australian-bred horses in the field is popular with the race results showing the Aussie foaled sprinters have a solid recent record in the event against the locally foaled horses.
Looking back over the Railway Stakes history and statistics shows that recent winners to be bred in Australia and not New Zealand include Imananabaa (2008), Gold Trail (2010), Atomic Force (2012), Bounding (2014), Volpe Veloce (2018), Avantage (2021), Imperatriz (2023), and most recently Jigsaw (2026).
Railway Stakes Tips for a Trifecta
Railway Stakes tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the Railway Stakes results.
The horse to finish on top of the Railway Stakes trifecta is your Railway Stakes winner, the runner who outlasted all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing a Railway Stakes trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
A Railway Stakes trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on the Sistema Railway to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Adding the favourite into your Railway Stakes trifecta bet is a top tip as the favourites have a strong recent strike-rate running in the money.
Key Railway Stakes Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s Railway Stakes by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the Railway Stakes. Our New Zealand Railway Stakes betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. Railway race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from barriers 8 – 10 have historically shown a higher success rate in the Railway Stakes.
Railway Stakes betting takes place on the popular Railway Stakes race which is held at Auckland’s Ellerslie Racecourse on a Saturday in late January annually.
In 2022 it was run at Te Rapa due to the Ellerslie redevelopment and at Pukekohe Park in 2023/24.
Railway Stakes odds are offered on the esteemed Railway race meeting Group 1 event, and the field attracts a host of quality thoroughbreds.
The Group 1 Railway Stakes is one of New Zealand’s most popular horse races and has been run and won since 1890 when Loch Ness became the inaugural champion of the event.
The race was formerly known as the Railway Handicap before the race conditions changed to set weights plus penalties in 2009.
The Railway Stakes is currently sponsored by Sistema, so is currently run as the Sistema Railway and is often referred to as simply ‘The Railway’.
Australia also hosts a Group 1 event called the Railway Stakes in the summer in Perth, Western Australia.
It has been a key event in New Zealand’s racing calendar for over 130 years and attracts some of the best horses, jockeys and trainers from across the country and Australia.
The race has seen many notable winners including the heroic three-time champion Mr Tiz, Avantage who was also a two-time Telegraph Handicap winner, and brilliant mare Imperatriz who won a total of ten Group 1 races across New Zealand and Australia.
Winning the Railway Stakes is a significant achievement in the racing community, and the event attracts lots of attention from punters both locally and internationally in Australia.
Taking place at Auckland’s iconic Ellerslie Racecourse, the Railway is a 1200m or six-furlong event.
The Railway is run at set weights plus penalties, and the highest weighted winners since 1970 include Shifnal Chief (59kg in 1975), Mr Tiz (58.5kg for this third win in 1991), Fritz (58kg in 2001), and Atomic Force (58kg in 2012).
The New Zealand Railway Stakes was elevated to Group 1 status in 1987.
Several recent winners of the New Zealand Railway Stakes have also found success in Australian horse races including most famously Imperatriz (2023) whose elite level wins down under included winning the William Reid, Moir Stakes, Manikato Stakes Group 1 treble at The Valley as well as Flemington’s Champions Sprint during the iconic Melbourne Cup Carnival.
TAB Karaka Millions Night
The TAB Karaka Millions meeting is one of New Zealand’s leading horse racing events, held annually at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland.
The race meeting features not just one, but three races with stakes over NZ$1 million each! The Karaka Million 2YO race itself offers a prize of NZ$1 million.
Key Karaka Millions Race Night Events:
- Restricted Listed $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) – The main event of the night, featuring New Zealand’s top two-year-old horses competing for a prize of NZ$1 million.
- Restricted Listed $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) – Another major race and the evening’s richest race with an incredible prize of NZ$1.5 million, showcasing the best three-year-old horses.
- Restricted Listed $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) – a new addition to the Karaka Million Race Night, this million-dollar mile race is only for four-year-olds.
- Group 1 $700,000 Sistema Railway (1200m) – One of the two most popular New Zealand thoroughbred sprint races along with the prestigious Telegraph Handicap.
- Group 2 $600,000 Westbury Classic (1400m) – Group 2 event offering over half-a-million open only to fillies and mares.
- Group 3 $250,000 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) – Sprint race support act for three-year-olds.
The event takes place in the evening, adding a unique atmosphere with twilight racing under the lights. It’s not just about the racing; the event is known for its fashion and social scene. There’s a “Birdcage Bash” afterparty with live music and a DJ, making it a full evening of entertainment.
The event attracts international industry figures and racing enthusiasts, adding to its prestige and excitement.
Overall, the Karaka Millions Night is a must-attend event for racing fans and those looking to experience a night of thrilling racing and entertainment.
Get the best Karaka Millions Carnival odds, racing stats, previews, form and insider tips on races like the Railway Stakes now at the TAB NZ!
Where can you bet on the Railway Stakes?
The best place to bet on this year’s Railway Stakes race is through the TAB NZ online.
Railway Stakes Odds
Railway Stakes odds and online betting tips on the Railway horse race in New Zealand are dominated by proven Group 1 horses, the locally trained runners in the race and horses aged four and five years old who have a great record in the event.
Where can I find the latest Sistema Railway odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the Railway Stakes, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
How to Place a Bet on the Railway Stakes Race
Want to know how to make a bet on the Railway Stakes? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest Railway Stakes betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the Railway Stakes online.
You can place a Railway Stakes bet online anytime markets are live.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the Railway Stakes.
From seasoned punters analysing form guides to casual racing fans drawn to the excitement, the Railway Stakes is a race for everyone.
Whether you’re diving deep into the latest Railway Stakes race field, joining a sweepstake with friends, or simply enjoying the atmosphere of the summer Auckland racing, the Railway Stakes has it all!
This important summer race showcases New Zealand’s finest thoroughbreds and attracts attention from all over the country as one of the biggest races of the year!
How to Bet on the Sistema Railway this year?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out the Railway Stakes betting guide, Railway Stakes form guide and our expert Railway Stakes tips.
4. Choose a Railway Stakes bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the Railway Stakes Trifecta. There are many more Railway Stakes betting options available so make sure to check out our Railway Stakes betting markets.
5. Select the Railway Stakes horse you want to bet on from the early markets, Railway Stakes nominations or Railway Stakes field.
What makes betting on the Railway Stakes so popular?
The fact that the Railway Stakes is one of the leading Group 1 races run during the Auckland Summer Racing Carnival and one of the key January horse races in Australasia make it a must watch and must bet on racing event.
The Railway Stakes is a time honoured sprint race that has produced a host of subsequent Group 1 winning horses both locally and across the Tasman.
The Railway Stakes is one of the most prestigious and lucrative thoroughbred horse races in New Zealand.
For the best online betting on the Railway Stakes, consider tipping a horse to win both the Railway Stakes and another Group 1 race over the carnival in a summer race double!
What makes the Railway Stakes so special?
The Railway Stakes serves as a great guide historically to other important New Zealand Group 1 races so using the Railway Stakes winners’ list for upcoming Group events is popular with punters.
It is a highly competitive and prestigious race that grows in popularity each summer.
New Zealand and international racing fans, including those in Australia, tune into the thrilling 1200m summer sprint event every season to see if their bets on the Railway Stakes race won!
The Railway Stakes currently offers NZD$700,000 in prize money plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners from across the country and further abroad keen to add their names to the list of Railway Stakes champions.
Railway Stakes Field
The Sistema Railway Stakes field attracts a line-up of top-line sprinting horses each season.
Nominations: 20 Jan 2026 12:00PM
Withdrawals: 21 Jan 2026 10:00AM
Riders: 21 Jan 2026 1:00PM
What are the popular betting markets for the Railway Stakes?
When it comes to betting on the Railway Stakes, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
- Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
- Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
- Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
How many mares have won the Railway Stakes in recent years?
Since the year 2000 there have been 13 Railway Stakes winning mares plus one filly giving the female horses an impressive 14 victories in 24 years with: Cannsea (2000), Egyptian Raine (2003), Recurring (2005), Donna Rosita (2007), Imananabaa (2008), Miss Raggedy Ann (2011), Fleur de Lune (2013), the filly Bounding (2014), In Style (2015), Volpe Veloce (2018), Santa Monica (2019), Avantage (2021), Entriviere (2022), and most recently Imperatriz (2023).
Star filly Bounding (2014) became the first three-year-old to win the Railway in 33 years.
What age group has the best Railway Stakes record?
Five-year-olds have dominated the Railway Stakes results in recent years with 11 saluting between 2000 and 2026, most recently Entriviere in 2022.
The oldest recent Railway Stakes winner was Julius who saluted as an eight-year-old in 2020.
The youngest recent Railway Stakes winner was Bounding who won as a three-year-old filly in 2014.
Between 2000 and 2026 the breakdown of Railway Stakes winners by age is as follows:
3YOs – 1 (latest Bounding in 2014)
4YOs – 9 (latest Crocetti in 2025)
5YOs – 11 (latest Entriviere in 2022)
6YOs – 4 (latest Start Wondering in 2017)
7YOs – 1 (latest Jigsaw in 2026)
8YOs – 1 (latest Julius in 2020)
What races will runners out of the Railway Stakes target next?
Following a run in the Railway Stakes many horses will target upcoming summer features including the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in early February.
Imperatriz (2023) was the last horse to complete the Railway Stakes – BCD Group Sprint double in the same year.
Looking further ahead, graduates out of the Railway Stakes in New Zealand may head down under for the lucrative Group 1 sprint races in Sydney and Melbourne including the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) which is a premier Melbourne sprint race held in March at Flemington Racecourse and the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) run in April at Randwick Racecourse during ‘The Championships’.
Railway Stakes Barriers
The Railway Stakes barrier draw and allocated Railway Stakes starting gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
What is the most successful recent Railway Stakes barrier draw?
Barriers 5, 8, 9 and 10 have all produced four Railway Stakes winners between 2000 and 2026 most recently Entriviere (barrier 5 in 2022), Volpe Veloce (barrier 8 in 2018), Waitak (barrier 9 in 2024), and Jigsaw (barrier 10 in 2026).
Barrier 13 is the widest gate to produce a Railway Stakes winner between 2000 and 2026 with Egyptian Raine (2003) and A Gold Trail (2010).
Barrier 5 was the last gate to produce back-to-back Railway Stakes winners with Avantage (2021) and Entriviere (2022).
Barrier 10 is the latest Railway Stakes winning barrier with Jigsaw in 2026.
Breakdown of winning Railway Stakes barriers between 2000-26:
Barrier 1 – 2 (latest Crocetti in 2025)
Barrier 2 – 1 (latest Ryan Mark in 2016)
Barrier 3 – 1 (latest Donna Rosita in 2007)
Barrier 4 – 2 (latest Start Wondering 2017)
Barrier 5 – 4 (latest Entriviere in 2022)
Barrier 6 – 0
Barrier 7 – 1 (latest Vinaka in 2004)
Barrier 8 – 4 (latest Volpe Veloce in 2018)
Barrier 9 – 4 (latest Waitak in 2024)
Barrier 10 – 4 (latest Jigsaw in 2026)
Barrier 11 – 0
Barrier 12 – 2 (latest Atomic Force in 2012)
Barrier 13 – 2 (latest A Gold Trail in 2010)
Railway Stakes Form
We offer a complete Railway Stakes form guide and expert analysis on every horse in the Railway Stakes field in addition to insider Railway Stakes racing tips and betting odds.
Our Railway Stakes form guides include:
- Railway Stakes race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all horses in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in the Railway Stakes or you are an expert Railway Stakes tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the Railway Stakes.
How to Read the Railway Stakes Form Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s Railway Stakes form guide:
- Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
- Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
- Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in the Railway Stakes race.
- Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the Railway Stakes, as this can impact performance.
- Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Railway Stakes Results
The Railway Stakes results are known when the event takes place in January annually.
You can bet on the Railway Stakes race results weeks ahead of race day with our futures Railway Stakes markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the Railway Stakes results entails picking the Railway Stakes winning horse and we can help you place an informed bet on the Railway Stakes field with our Railway Stakes tips and form guide.
Other Railway Stakes race results include the winning jockeys, trainers, successful barrier and finishing time.
The complete Railway Stakes finishing order shows what position every horse in the field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in the Railway Stakes results!
Railway Stakes exotic results show how all the exotic Railway Stakes bet types resulted like the Railway Stakes Quinella, Railway Stakes Exacta, Railway Stakes Trifecta, and Railway Stakes First Four.
Railway Stakes Jockeys
Securing a ride in the Railway Stakes field is a highly sought-after achievement for jockeys around New Zealand and Australia. Winning this important summer race is a nice campaign goal for many of Australasia’s top riders looking to secure a Group 1 trophy during the carnival.
What jockeys are riding in the Railway Stakes field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official Railway Stakes jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Logan Bates is the latest Railway Stakes winning jockey having ridden Jigsaw to victory in 2026 as an apprentice.
Warren Kennedy is the latest back-to-back Railway Stakes winning jockey with Waitak (2024) and Crocetti (2025).
The most successful jockeys in the New Zealand Railway Stakes are Lance O’Sullivan and Opie Bosson who both have won the race five times. O’Sullivan won with Mr Tiz (1989, 1990, 1991); Loader (1996); and Bawalaksana (1999). Bosson’s Railway winning rides were aboard Vinaka (2004), Ryan Mark (2016), Avantage (2021), Entriviere (2022), and Imperatriz (2023).
Lance O’Sullivan also won the race in 2024 as the co-trainer of Waitak alongside Andrew Scott.
Opie Bosson is another notable Railway jockey having ridden a consecutive three-peat with Avantage (2021), Entriviere (2022), and Imperatriz (2023).
Trudy Thornton was the last female Railway Stakes winning jockey aboard Santa Monica (2019).
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the Railway Stakes horses this summer.
Railway Stakes Trainers
The most successful trainer in the history of the Railway Stakes is Colin Jillings who won the race four times with Royal Scot (1946), Tudor Light (1977), Shivaree (1986), and Diamond Lover (1987).
Cindy Alderson is the latest Railway Stakes winning trainer having prepared Jigsaw in 2026.
Railway Stakes Winners
Notable Railway Stakes winners throughout history include:
Tudor Light (1977): Tudor Light was a remarkable mare born in 1972, known for her impressive performances on the racetrack. She also secured victories in other significant races, including the George Adams Handicap and the Easter Handicap. The mare was known for her versatility, excelling in various distances and conditions, and she remains a celebrated figure in New Zealand horse racing history.
Diamond Lover (1987): Diamond Lover was a notable thoroughbred racehorse born in 1982 in Australia. Diamond Lover was sired by Sticks And Stones (AUS) and out of Eight Carat (GB), making her part of a distinguished lineage. She had a successful racing career and set a track record at Ellerslie Racecourse during her win in the Railway Stakes. Beyond her racing career, Diamond Lover became an influential broodmare, producing several successful offspring, including Tristalove and Don Eduardo.
Mr Tiz (1989, 1990, 1991): A legendary sprinter who won the race three times (1989, 1990, 1991) and also claimed victories in other prestigious races like the Telegraph Handicap. Amazingly, the grand Kiwi sprinter dead-heated in the 1989 Railway and the 1989 Telegraph!
Bawalasksana (1999): Bawalaksana was a notable thoroughbred racehorse born in 1994 in New Zealand. Bawalaksana was sired by Straight Strike (USA) and out of Princess Jocinda (NZ). He had a total of 18 starts, with 6 wins, 2 places, and 3 shows. Bawalaksana’s other notable victory included the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap in 1999.
Bounding (2014): Bounding was an exceptional racehorse born in 2010 in New Zealand. Bounding was sired by Lonhro (AUS) and out of Believe’n’succeed (AUS). The blueblood filly had a total of 15 starts, with 8 wins, 4 places, and 1 show. Bounding’s notable victories included the Group 1 Railway Stakes in 2014, where she became the first 3-year-old to win the race in 33 years. She also won the Group 3 Mr Tiz Trophy and the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes in Australia. She was named the New Zealand Champion Sprinter in 2014.
Avantage (2021): Avantage is an Australian-bred, New Zealand-trained thoroughbred racehorse born on September 27, 2015. The daughter of Fastnet Rock had a stellar career with 28 starts, achieving 16 wins, 6 places, and 2 shows. Avantage secured nine Group 1 victories, including in the: Railway Stakes (2021); Telegraph Handicap (2020, 2021); Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (2018); Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2020); BCD Group Sprint (2021); and the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (2021). She was named the New Zealand Champion 2YO of the Year in 2018. Avantage was retired from racing on September 17, 2021, after suffering a tendon injury. She was later purchased by Coolmore Stud for $4.1 million, setting a new world record price for any horse sold online.
Imperatriz (2023): Imperatriz is an outstanding Australian-bred, New Zealand-trained thoroughbred racehorse born on August 16, 2018. The daughter of I Am Invincible enjoyed 19 wins from 27 starts and won 10 Group 1 races in Australasia. She broke the 1000m track record at The Valley in the 2023 McEwen Stakes and bettered her own record in the A J Moir Stakes. She has been recognised with numerous accolades, including New Zealand Horse of the Year and Australian Sprinter of the Year. She was also inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2025.
Bet on the next Railway Stakes winner with our comprehensive Railway Stakes form guide and expert Railway Stakes tips at the TAB NZ!
Past Railway Results
Recent Railway winners, jockeys, trainers, times, weights carried to victory, and placegetters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner (Weight) | Jockey | Trainer/s | Time | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Jigsaw (57kg) | Logan Bates (a) | Cindy Alderson | 1:09.55 | Arkansaw Kid (AUS) | Sweynesday |
| 2025 | Crocetti (56.5kg) | Warren Kennedy | Danny Walker & Arron Tata | 1:10.22 | Alabama Lass (AUS) | Luberon |
| 2024 | Waitak (55kg) | Warren Kennedy | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott | 1:09.76 (race held at Pukekohe) | Bonny Lass | Mercurial |
| 2023 | Imperatriz (56kg) | Opie Bosson | Mark Walker | 1:08.90 (race held at Te Rapa) | Babylon Berlin | Levante |
| 2022 | Entriviere (55kg) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards, Matamata | 1:09.36 | Levante | Babylon Berlin |
| 2021 | Avantage (57kg) | Opie Bosson | Jamie Richards, Matamata | 1:08.91 | Julius | Levante |
| 2020 | Julius (56kg) | Jason Waddell | John Bell, Cambridge | 1:09.70 | Winter Bride | Evalina |
| 2019 | Santa Monica (53kg) | Trudy Thornton | Stephen Ralph, Te Awamutu | 1:09.47 | Princess Kereru | Melody Belle |
| 2018 | Volpe Veloce (54kg) | Jake Bayliss | Graham Richardson, Matamata | 1:10.65 | Packing Eagle | Volks Lightning |
| 2017 | Start Wondering (55.5kg) | Johnathan Parkes | J J & Evan Rayner, Whanganui | 1:08.84 | Perfect Fit | Reilly Lincoln |
| 2016 | Ryan Mark (56kg) | Opie Bosson | John Morell, Te Rapa | 1:11.04 | Allez Eagle | Natuzzi |
| 2015 | In Style (54kg) | Leith Innes | Danica Guy, Matamata | 1:10.34 | Whosyourmaster | Durham Town |
| 2014 | Bounding (52kg) | Mark Du Plessis | Ken & Bev Kelso, Matamata | 1:10.25 | Waterford | Little Wonder |
| 2013 | Fleur de Lune (54kg) | Jason Jago | Lee Somerville, Cambridge | 1:09.21 | Jetset Lad | Durham Town |
| 2012 | Atomic Force (58kg) | Nash Rawiller | Gai Waterhouse, Randwick (AUS) | 1:11.57 | The Hombre | Twilight Savings |
| 2011 | Miss Raggedy Ann (53kg) | Natasha Collett | Andrew Scott, Matamata | 1:09.87 | Atapi | Tip The Wink |
| 2010 | A Gold Trail (57kg) | Michael Rodd | Gary Portelli, Warwick Farm Racecourse (AUS) | 1:09.34 | Atapi | Richard Beymer |
| 2009 | Jacowils (55.5kg) | Mark Hills | Kristin Stead, Te Rapa | 1:09.60 | Dashing Donna | Pinsoir |
| 2008 | Imananabaa (54kg) | Andrew Calder | Don Sellwood, Cambridge | 1:09.04 | Needuask | Brianna |
| 2007 | Donna Rosita (51kg) | Lisa Cropp | Piri Ranui, Tauranga | 1:09.74 | Gee I Jane | Imananabaa |
| 2006 | Baldessarini (53.5kg) | Lisa Cropp | Anne Herbert | 1:08.85 | Gee I Jane | Pin Up Boy |
| 2005 | Recurring (56kg) | Hayden Tinsley | Gerald Ryan, Rosehill (AUS) | 1:10.12 | Gee I Jane | Sedecrem |
| 2004 | Vinaka (55.5kg) | Opie Bosson | Paul O’Sullivan, Matamata | 1:08.66 | Pay My Bail | Tully Dane |
| 2003 | Egyptian Raine (52kg) | Lance O’Sullivan | Kenny Rae, Ruakaka | 1:08.66 | Gwen’s Rules | Marcurous |
| 2002 | Sound The Alarm (51.5kg) | Gary Grylls | Richard Otto, Te Aroha | 1:09.97 | Super Impressive | Vinaka |
| 2001 | Fritz (58kg) | Noel Harris | Neil Coulbeck, Leithfield | 1:10.45 | O’Malleys Boy | Travellin’ Man |
| 2000 | Cannsea (53.5kg) | Michael Coleman | Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott, Matamata | 1:09.63 | Cullen | Star Of Gold |
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